Three part, two fluid dispenser

ABSTRACT

A fluid mixing and dispensing device is provided for a metallic aerosol can containing a metal affecting fluid in a collapsible bag or the like, the bag being of a material unaffected by such fluid. The mixing and dispensing device comprises three basic parts easily manufactured and assembled in the metallic cap. The fluids are mixed and dispensed without contact with the metal cap.

United States Patent Marraffino Y [54] THREE PART, TWO FLUID DISPENSER[72] Inventor: Leonard L. Marrafiino, 1824 NW. 36 Court, Oakland Park,Fla. 33308 [22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 79,758

[52] US. Cl ..222/136, 222/402.24 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 83/14 [58] Fieldof Search ..222/ 145, 402.24, 402.1, 94,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,913,749 11/1959 Ayres..222/402.24 X 3,206,074 9/ 1 965 Hoffmann ..222/94 3,217,936 1l/1965Abplanalp ..222/145 X 3,333,744 8/ 1967 Nilsen et a1 ..222/402.24 X

15 3,685,696 [451 Aug. 22, 1972 3,465,918 9/1969 Webster "222/1363,506,160 4/1970 Forim ..222/145 3,543,965 12/1970 Lehmann ..222/145 X3,565,290 2/ 1971 Prussin et a] ..222/94 X Primary Examiner-Robert B.Reeves Assistant Examiner-John P. Shannon, .Ir. Attorney-Wynne andFinken ABSTRACT 9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmczz I972 SHEET 1 UF3 1 I I I O W Cr. F A R R m ML T ND E m 0 E l I all/11 m A/ MW ATTORNEYSPATENTEuAusza I972 .SHEET 2 UF 3 llllllllll r mvsmon LEONARDL.MARRAFFINO WWFW v ATTORNEYS PATENTEmuszz I972 SHEET 3 BF 3 INVENTORLEONARD L. MARRAFFINO ATTORNEYS THREE PART, TWO FLUID DISPENSER The twofluid aerosol can is provided with a fluid mixing and dispensingdevicehaving three basic parts which can be easily manufactured and assembledwithout sacrifice of structural integrity or long shelf life. It isknown that fluids, such'as hair dyesolutions and the like, arepreferably mixed at the time of use. Metal cannot be exposed to suchfluids due to the corrosive effects. It is further known that suchfluids can be contained within a collapsible bag or cylinder or the likewithin an aerosol can, such internal container being of a materialunaffected by such fluids. The dispensing and mixing of such fluids musttake place just prior to use and without contacting metal.

Three basic parts of a material unaffected by metal are provided toaccomplish this end, these being a base which is fixed to and sealed tothe metal can cap, a nozzle slidably mounted in the cap, and a washerwhich is actuated by the nozzle to open fluid outlets in the base. Thefluids pass through the base, past the opened washer, and into thenozzle where they are mixed and ultimately dispensed. The washer andnozzle coact to allow fluid flow and to prevent such fluid fromcontacting the metal cap.

The nozzle is removable from the metal cap to enable cleaning thereof aswell as cleaning of the washer and base member. This eliminates theaccumulation of dried or crystallized residue after use.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear during thecourse of the following description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a central vertical section througha pressurized dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a view of the fluid mixing and dispensing device of FIG. 1 indispensing condition;

FIG. 3 is a view taken on line 3, 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. MS a central vertical section of a device similar to that shown inFIG. 1 wherein a coil spring is substituted for the integral distortablespring portion of the washer of FIG. 1; I

FIG. 5 is. view of the fluid mixing and dispensing device of FIG. 4 indispensing condition;

FIG. 6 is a central vertical section of a device similar to that shownin FIG. 1, wherein a tension, not compression, type washer is employed;

FIG. 7 is a view of the device of FIG. 6 in dispensing condition; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tension type washer of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For brevity, a verticalposition of the aerosol can will be used in the description; otherpositions and terms are hereby identified as equivalents.

FIGS. 1 3 show the aerosol can 14 and its annular cup like metal can 15which houses the valve mechanism 16. The top cap 15 has a longitudinallyextending conduit 17 which is rolled inwardly at 18 into fixed holdingand sealing engagement with an annular outer groove 19 of the base 20.The annular portion 21 extending upwardly from this rolled portion 18 isin sealing face-to-face engagement with the outer vertical upper annularwall 22 of the base 20. Following this, a transversely inwardlyextending annular ledge 23 is provided for coacting with the top annularwall 24 of the base 20 to peripherally and sealingly sandwich the outerperipheral edge of the washer 25. The conduit 17 then extends upwardly apredetemiined distance coordinated with the desired reciprocatingmovement of the nozzle 26. The conduit 17 then is reduced in diameteragain to provide means in the form of an annular lip 27 for engagementwith an annular stop 28 on the nozzle 26 to limit upward movement of thenozzle.

The three basic parts are viewed as an important concept in thatpractical prior designs have involved four or more parts. These threebasic parts are the base 20, the nozzle 26 and the washer 25.

The base 20 includes a bottom portion 29,having a nipple 30 forreceiving the non-metallic collapsible bag 31 or the like and a hole 32for receiving a dip tube 33. Fine diameter ducts 34 and 35 extendupwardly from nipple 30 and socket 32, respectively, through a centralpillar 36 terminating at transverse outlets 37 and 38, respectively,these outlets preferably being diametrically opposed to keep ,the fluidsseparated at the outlet zone. The base bottom portion 29 is in effect aring which seats up against the bottom of the cap 15 in faceto-facesealing engagement therewith. Extending upwardly therefrom is the upperannular wall 22 in sealing engagement with the cap 15 which defines withcentral pillar 36 an annular socket 40. The pillar 36 extends above theannular wall 22 and has a stop ring 41 extending laterally forengagement with the top surface of the inner rim of washer 25 and a topnose 42 which extends into the bottom portion of the nozzle 26 to definea mixing chamber 45 therewith. Preferably, the nose 42 is tapered orconical to provide a venturi-like action in the mixing chamber 45.Further, mixing action is produced in the nozzle itself in the venturineck 46.

The nozzle 26 also includes a top spout 47 and a bottom 48 whose annularsurface engages the top inner annular surface of the washer 25 fordistorting movement thereof. The transverse outwardly extending annularstop 28 on the nozzle engages the conduit annular lip 27 to limit upwardmovement caused by the biasing force delivered by the washer.

Preferably, washer 25 is of a predetermined compliance and constructionsuch that on assembly it has residual upward bias to maintain the nozzle26 in up position. Its outer periphery is clamped and held by the base20 and cap 15 thereby enabling distortion, as shown in FIG. 2, touncover the transverse outlets 37 and 38 and allow release of bothfluids at the same time to. ensure proper mixture. The washer 25includes a top ring-like member 50 and a distortable depending member 51of predetermined resilience integrally extending downwardly therefromand seated in the annular socket 40. Specifically, the depending member51 includes a bulbous portion 52 and a saucer-like portion 53 whichcoact to produce the required power for nozzle return, the nozzle beingguided by the cap bearing 55 in its reciprocating movement.

It will be understood that various modifications can be made, such asthe substitution of a metallic or nonmetallic coil spring 60 as shown inFIGS. 4 5 for the bulbous portion 52 and saucer-like portion 53 of thewasher of FIG. 1. A simple ring washer is utilized in the modificationof FIGS. 4-5 and its distorted position on opening is shown in FIG. 5.All other details of FIGS. 4 and 5 are as previously described.

The nozzle 26 is snapped into place through cap bearing 55. It caneasily be removed by the user to enable washing. The pocket within theconduit 17 can then be easily washed to clean the washer 25 and basenose 46. This feature is particularly important in the elimination ofresidues which can produce clogging and reduction of usability of theproduct.

The modification shown in FIGS. 6 8 differs in that it primarily relieson a tensioning of an upper U-shaped member 70 to insure the return tofull sealing of the washer 71. As will be noted, many of the otherdetails of the three part unit are the same. It will be noted howeverthat the nozzle 26 does not have the annular stop 28; it merely isslidably positioned within the conduit 17 for engagement with thering-like member 72. It may be easily slid out for cleaning.

The ring-like member 72 differs in that it has a peripheral dependingrim 73 which seats within an upwardly opening peripheral through 74formed in the top of the base 20 by the upstanding peripheral wall 75.

An integral annular distortable member 76 depends from the ring-likemember 72 and is seated in the annular socket 40. This is a thin walledmember which facilitates distortion and full opening of the transverseoutlets 37 and 38.

Full and secure closings of the transverse outlets 37 and 38 isaccomplished by the integral inverted U- shaped member 70 which extendsupwardly from ringlike member 72 with the bight 78 of the U seated ontop of the pillar 79 in a groove 80 therein. The legs 81 and 82 of theU-shaped member 70 are of predetermined strength such that on stretchingthey can firmly, over many cycles, cause full sealing of the transverseoutlets 37 and 38. Cut-outs 83 and 84 in the otherwise circular light 78direct flow to the nozzle 26.

I claim:

1. An aerosol can for dispensing two fluids comprismg:

a container having two separate fluid chambers and a top cap having alongitudinally extending conduit with a transversely inwardly extendingannular ledge; and

a fluid mixing and dispensing device including:

a base fixedly and sealingly mounted at the bottom of the conduit,

a nozzle slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocation at the top ofthe conduit and having a top spout and a bottom mixing chamber; and

an annular distortable sealing washer peripherally and sealinglysandwiched between the top of the base and the cap ledge and having aninner portion operatively engaged transversely inwardly by the bottom ofthe nozzle to enable distortion thereby;

said base having two longitudinal ducts in separate fluid communicationwith said fluids, said ducts extending from the bottom portion of thebase to transverse outlets which terminate in sealed engagement with theinner longitudinal wall of the sealing washer,

said washer on distortion being moved away from said outlets to enabledispensing through said mixing chamber to said spout,

said nozzle and said cap being detachably connected to enable separationfor cleaning,

said base having a top annular wall which peripherally engages thewasher to produce the sandwiched seal and a pillar which extendslongitudinally upwardly substantially centrally of said annular wall,said annular wall and said pillar defining an annular socket foraccomodating said washer on distortion, said ducts and outlets being insaid pillar, the ducts through said outlets being in direct fluidcommunication with the mixing chamber when said washer is distorted.

2. An aerosol can as defined in claim 1 and wherein said washer has anannular distortable member of predetermined resilience integrallydepending therefrom and seated in said annular socket for biasing saidnozzle longitudinally upwardly.

3. An aerosol can as defined in claim 1 and wherein said washer isring-like and a spring is seated in said annular socket to bias saidwasher and nozzle longitudinally upwardly.

4. An aerosol can as defined in claim 1 and wherein said pillar has astop ring extending laterally engageable by the top surface of the innerrim of the washer to insure sealing positioning of the washer with thetransverse outlets of the ducts.

5. An aerosol can as defined in claim 4 and wherein said transverseoutlets of the ducts are diametrically opposed.

6. An aerosol can as defined in claim 1 and wherein means are providedfor limiting the outward movement of said nozzle.

7. An aerosol can for dispensing two fluids comprismg:

a container having two separate fluid chambers and a top cap having alongitudinally extending conduit with a transversely inwardly extendingannular ledge; and

a fluid mixing and dispensing device including:

a base fixedly and sealingly mounted at the bottom of the conduit andhaving a top annular wall,

a nozzle slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocation at the top ofthe conduit and having a top spout and a bottom mixing chamber; and

an annular distortable sealing washer peripherally and sealinglysandwiched between the top of the base and the cap ledge and having aninner portion operatively engaged transversely inwardly by the bottom ofthe nozzle to enable distortion thereby;

said base having two longitudinal ducts in separate fluid communicationwith said fluids, said ducts extending from the bottom portion of thebase to transverse outlets which terminate in sealed engagement with theinner longitudinal wall of the sealing washer,

said washer on distortion being moved away from said outlets to enabledispensing through said mixing chamber to said spout,

said base having a pillar which extends longitudinally upwardlysubstantially centrally of said annular wall and a top nose, saidannular wall and said pillar defining an annular socket foraccommodating said washer on distortion, said ducts and outlets being insaid pillar and in direct fluid communication with the mixing chamberwhen said washer is distorted,

said washer having a ring-like member providing said sandwichedengagement and having an integral annular distortable member providingsaid inner 1ongitudinal wall depending therefrom and seated in the topof said pillar has a groove for receiving said said annular socket andhaving an integral inverted bight.

U-Shaped member extending upwardly therefrom 9. An aerosol can asdefined in claim 8 and wherein with the bight of the u seated on top ofthe pillar to saigl ring like m m has a Peripheral p s Hm provide anupward tension on the washer when 5 Whlch Seats an p y openmg Peripheraldistorted, trough formed in the top of the base.

8.- An aerosol can a defined in claim 7 and wherein

1. An aerosol can for dispensing two fluids comprising: a containerhaving two separate fluid chambers and a top cap having a longitudinallyextending conduit with a transversely inwardly extending annular ledge;and a fluid mixing and dispensing device including: a base fixedly andsealingly mounted at the bottom of the conduit, a nozzle slidablymounted for longitudinal reciprocation at the top of the conduit andhaving a top spout and a bottom mixing chamber; and an annulardistortable sealing washer peripherally and sealingly sandwiched betweenthe top of the base and the cap ledge and having an inner portionoperatively engaged transversely inwardly by the bottom of the nozzle toenable distortion thereby; said base having two longitudinal ducts inseparate fluid communication with said fluids, said ducts extending fromthe bottom portion of the base to transverse outlets which terminate insealed engagement with the inner longitudinal wall of the sealingwasher, said washer on distortion being moved away from said outlets toenable dispensing through said mixing chamber to said spout, said nozzleand said cap being detachably connected to enable separation forcleaning, said base having a top annular wall which peripherally engagesthe washer to produce the sandwiched seal and a pillar which extendslongitudinally upwardly substantially centrally of said annular wall,said annular wall and said pillar defining an annular socket foraccomodating said washer on distortion, said ducts and outlets being insaid pillar, the ducts through said outlets being in direct fluidcommunication with the mixing chamber when said washer is distorted. 2.An aerosol can as defined in claim 1 and wherein said washer has anannular distortable member of predetermined resilience integrallydepending therefrom and seated in said annular socket for biasing saidnozzle longitudinally upwardly.
 3. An aerosol can as defined in claim 1and wherein said washer is ring-like and a spring is seated in saidannular socket to bias said washer and nozzle longitudinally upwardly.4. An aerosol can as defined in claim 1 and wherein said pillar has astop ring extending laterally engageable by the top surface of the innerrim of the washer to insure sealing positioning of the washer with thetransverse outlets of the ducts.
 5. An aerosol can as defined in claim 4and wherein said transverse outlets of the ducts are diametricalLyopposed.
 6. An aerosol can as defined in claim 1 and wherein means areprovided for limiting the outward movement of said nozzle.
 7. An aerosolcan for dispensing two fluids comprising: a container having twoseparate fluid chambers and a top cap having a longitudinally extendingconduit with a transversely inwardly extending annular ledge; and afluid mixing and dispensing device including: a base fixedly andsealingly mounted at the bottom of the conduit and having a top annularwall, a nozzle slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocation at thetop of the conduit and having a top spout and a bottom mixing chamber;and an annular distortable sealing washer peripherally and sealinglysandwiched between the top of the base and the cap ledge and having aninner portion operatively engaged transversely inwardly by the bottom ofthe nozzle to enable distortion thereby; said base having twolongitudinal ducts in separate fluid communication with said fluids,said ducts extending from the bottom portion of the base to transverseoutlets which terminate in sealed engagement with the inner longitudinalwall of the sealing washer, said washer on distortion being moved awayfrom said outlets to enable dispensing through said mixing chamber tosaid spout, said base having a pillar which extends longitudinallyupwardly substantially centrally of said annular wall and a top nose,said annular wall and said pillar defining an annular socket foraccommodating said washer on distortion, said ducts and outlets being insaid pillar and in direct fluid communication with the mixing chamberwhen said washer is distorted, said washer having a ring-like memberproviding said sandwiched engagement and having an integral annulardistortable member providing said inner longitudinal wall dependingtherefrom and seated in said annular socket and having an integralinverted U-shaped member extending upwardly therefrom with the bight ofthe U seated on top of the pillar to provide an upward tension on thewasher when distorted.
 8. An aerosol can a defined in claim 7 andwherein the top of said pillar has a groove for receiving said bight. 9.An aerosol can as defined in claim 8 and wherein said ring -like memberhas a peripheral depending rim which seats within an upwardly openingperipheral trough formed in the top of the base.